Suffolk III football roundup
Joe Sabbatino ran for 180 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries Saturday as No. 4 Islip beat No. 5 Huntington, 17-9, in the first round of the Suffolk III football playoffs. Sabbatino scored from the 1- and 19-yard lines in the second half as Islip (6-3) broke a halftime tie at 3 with Huntington (4-5) to lead 17-3 with five minutes left in the game. Islip's opening drive of the second half was 60 yards long, capped by Sabbatino's 1-yard score. Johnny Maher had 125 yards on 21 carries and a key interception in the third quarter with Islip ahead, 10-3. Sabbatino had eight tackles and a fumble recovery. Zach Connor led the team with 12 tackles.
Westhampton 43, Bellport 27:Brendan Eckart ran for 130 yards and three TDs to lead No. 2 Westhampton (7-2) over No. 7 Bellport (3-6). Brian Culhane had two catches for 113 yards and a TD and Jack Murphy completed 6 of 8 passes for 165 yards and a score. Safety Brandon Maloney made eight tackles, Connor Raynor had six tackles and a sack, and Michael Crennan, Brian Corrigan and Culhane each had an interception. Culhane returned his interception 13 yards for a touchdown with 7:23 remaining to seal the win.
